Fresno councilmember says The Bee is unfair in criticism over his Pride event posts
On June 21, The Bee published a very biased and misleading editorial stating that I’m opposed to the LGBTQ community. That is completely false. I am not. What I am opposed to is the “prayer” that was spoken at the Pride flag raising last week outside City Hall and the “Family Friendly Drag Performances” at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo on June 24 that will have children in attendance. I will provide the specific information and context The Bee left out of its editorial.
First, the “prayer” that was spoken at the Pride flag raising event called God: “Scandalous One, Ultimate Transgressor, Queerer of Norms That Harm, Queer One.” This was an outright attack on Jesus Christ and the Christian faith and I publicly called it out as such.
Second, the Fresno Chaffee Zoo is allowing what is being called “Family Friendly Drag Performances” where children can “meet and greet with the queens after the show.” These shows are clearly inappropriate for young children. Nor would it be appropriate for young children if there were female strippers. I spoke with a board member of the zoo and expressed my concerns. That member assured me the event would be monitored to ensure appropriate behavior around children, but I have my doubts.
I again let the public know through my social media of this inappropriate event at the zoo and said “we all must unite to put a stop to it.” The Bee called this is a “threatening tone,” which is ridiculous and typical of the left whenever you call out their attacks on your beliefs or values. I oppose any threats to anyone and have always publicly condemned them every single time no matter who commits such unacceptable behavior.
Like so many others, I strongly believe in traditional family values; that young children should grow up in safe and healthy environments free of sexual content; that there are only two genders; that life is sacred and the unborn should be protected and not murdered through abortion; that the police, active-duty military and veterans are heroes and are to be respected and valued; that criminals should be held accountable and put in jail; that people should not be allowed to enter this country illegally and our borders should be secured; that there is actually good and evil and not everything is relative; and that God and everyone’s faith should be respected. I also believe that every human being is loved by God and no one should ever be discriminated against because of their sexuality, race, gender, religion, or any other reason.
As a conservative, a man of faith, and because I believe that our rights are given to us by God and not government, that our First and Second Amendment rights are absolute and that we have a right to express as well as protect ourselves, that law and order and accountability are critical to a safe community, I will continue to call out things that are destructive in our community, to our children or issues I may disagree with. More elected leaders should have the courage to speak out, but don’t because they know they’ll be attacked and so they remain silent.
The Bee and those on the radical left believe you are not allowed to express your thoughts and feelings unless it is in agreement with their beliefs. If you do, you are being “threatening,” or you must be canceled, or you’re called racist, homophobe, etc. They even call into question your fitness to serve in elective office. These are tactics designed to shut you up and silence your voice.
Let me be clear. I served as a Navy lieutenant and was willing to give my life to defend this nation, our Constitution, and our way of life. We are free to express ourselves. All of us. I will not be silenced no matter how much The Bee attacks me. I will never back down (only double and triple down) in defending my conservative beliefs and traditional values. Not now. Not ever.